LCBA NEWSLETTER, May 2017
After Discussing Red Snapper State Management with LDWF, Charter Captains and Recreational Anglers Feel Deceived by Thursday's EFP Announcement

Louisiana Charter Boat Association representatives attended a roundtable discussion at LDWF Headquarters last Wednesday centered around creating a plan for a three-year pilot program to manage the red snapper fishery out to 200 nautical miles.

We, and everyone else in attendance, were taken aback 24 hours later when LDWF announced its intent to move forward with a previously rejected idea for a recreational fishing Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) by way of this press release.

According to the Department's EFP plan, 150 recreational fishermen would be randomly selected to be able to catch their share of 25,000 pounds of red snapper at any point during the year. They would not have to abide by season or bag limits.

The recreational sector opposes EFPs because EFPs create a system that rewards certain anglers by handing them a piece of a public resource. This plan closely resembles the Individual Fishing Quota system currently utilized by the Gulf's commercial fishery. Because some participants in Individual Fishing Quotas might receive allocation that not all participants in the fishery receive and because some participants would like to acquire more allocation than they initially receive, this system creates a market for the commodity to be bought, sold or traded. This privatization of a public resource is staunchly opposed by recreational anglers for recreational fishery management, and many feel it violates the North American Model for Fish and Game Management.


The Department held a meeting with recreational stakeholders about two months ago to discuss EFPs, and the idea was met with unanimous and strong resistance from those present, including the charter sector. It was clear during this meeting that there was absolutely no support for an EFP. 

Not only did LDWF completely ignore the input of the recreational fishing community, the Department also made no mention of its intent to move forward with the EFP during the meeting with representatives of the charter and recreational fishing sector only 24 hours prior to its announcement.

We strongly encourage our captains and recreational fishermen alike to voice their opposition to this EFP development.

Please email Gov. John Bel Edwards at this website and LDWF Assistant Secretary of Fisheries Patrick Banks at pbanks@wlf.la.gov.

State Legislature: Session Update

HB 632 - would raise the state gas tax on motor fuel by 10 cents

The bill which originally would raise the state gasoline, diesel and special fuels tax by 17 cents was pulled from the House floor last Wednesday because it did not have enough votes to pass. According to media reports, the bill has since been amended to raise the tax by 10 cents rather than the original 17.

It is scheduled to go back to the House floor today.

Although the off-road deduction would still apply for boat fuel if it passes, captains would need to pay for the more expensive fuel on the front end before applying for the tax deduction on the back end

The bill needs a two-third vote to pass the House.

We’ll keep you posted on the progress of this bill.

SB 129 - would have allowed property owners to charge landlocked neighbors to traverse their property by water, but it has been amended to no longer allow compensation in any way.

The amended bill now merely indemnifies property owners from any damage that occurs on their property.

HB 144 - would remove barriers to using public money for restoring private property

Passed House 98-0; pending Senate floor action; scheduled for today.

HB 156 - would limit gear used for oyster harvest on Calcasieu and Sabine Lake to hand tonging

Passed House 94-1; pending Senate Natural Resources Committee; scheduled for tomorrow.

HB 655 and 562 - would add sales tax to services; charter trips currently NOT among the proposed additions

Considered by House Ways and Means Committee and not passed twice; no date set for possible third consideration.

SB 192 - would protect certain LDWF dedicated funds

Pending Senate Finance Committee; no date set.


Federally-Permitted Charter Captains Get 49 Days to Harvest Red Snapper in 2017

Season begins June 1

The federal charter-for-hire fleet will get 49 days to harvest red snapper in federal waters in 2017, according to NOAA Fisheries.

The season will begin June 1 at 12:01 a.m. and end July 20 at 12:01 a.m.

Last year, federally-permitted captains got 45 days to catch red snapper in federal waters.

Charter guides will get the extra four days this year because they only caught about 90 percent of their quota last year, according to NOAA Fisheries data.

Private recreational fishermen, however, will only have three days to catch red snapper in 2017. Their season will begin June 1 at 12:01 a.m. and end June 4 at 12:01 a.m. Last year, the federal private rec season was nine days plus two weather make-up days. It is shorter this year because, according to NOAA Fisheries data, private recreational fishermen went substantially over their 2016 quota.


Electronic Logbook FAQ

Many of our federally-permitted charter captains have been approached regarding installation of an electronic logbook for a two-year Louisiana pilot program.

For many of you, this proposition presents many questions you’d like answered regarding the program and the logbook itself. LCBA is not promoting or advocating for your participation in this pilot program; we are simply making the program's existence known to you in the event it is something you would be interested in learning more about.

Click here for answers to some of the questions we have heard from you in a FAQ format.

If you have any additional questions that are not addressed, please email LCBA Communications Manager Richard Fischer at richard@louisianasaltwater.com.


Best of Louisiana Outdoors Voting Round Extended

The 2017 Best of Louisiana Outdoors has been extended, and we’d like to encourage you log on and to vote for LCBA captains.

Voting will now go until June 10.

The top six nominees in each category have made it to the voting round, and LCBA is proudly represented with captains in just about all of the categories.

To vote, go to bestoflaoutdoors.com.

LCBA was excited to see our members win several first, second and third place titles last year, and we’d like to represent even more top-3 finishers this year!

Fishing News Links
What we've been up to....
LCBA Attends Louisiana Sportsmen's Coalition Monthly Meeting

LCBA Communications Manager Richard Fischer attended the May Louisiana Sportsmen's Coalition (LaSC) Meeting in the Houma area.

Members of the LaSC discussed current issues and the direction of the coalition at the May meeting.

LaSC is a non-profit with the sole purpose of ensuring public access to tidally-influenced water.

For more information on LaSC and to become a member, please visit louisianasportsmenscoalition.com. We also encourage you to "Join" the LaSC Facebook group and attend the next monthly meeting that is close driving distance for you.

Look Out For Upcoming Editorials in Magazines

Keep your eyes peeled for editorials in the June editions of Guy Harvey Magazine and Louisiana Sportsman.

The Louisiana Charter Boat Association will be promoting Louisiana charter fishing and lasaltwater.com as a great resource for a trip of a lifetime in the June issue of Guy Harvey Magazine.

LCBA also worked with Louisiana Sportsman to provide editorial space to the Louisiana Sportsmen's Coalition. This very important column will shed some light on the posted waterway situation in coastal Louisiana and hopefully help spread the word about this critical issue. This will also be published in June.

LCBA thanks Guy Harvey Magazine and Louisiana Sportsman for opening up their valued column space to us and LaSC.
Louisiana Charter Boat Association | 225-421-9130 | lasaltwater.com